Automated refuse collection vehicle

ABSTRACT

A multi-purpose refuse collection vehicle. The vehicle includes a body provided with an internal refuse compactor and a refuse inlet for receiving refuse to be collected and compacted. A delivery device is associated with the inlet for delivering refuse received in the inlet to the interior of the body for compaction. A removable chute is superimposed over the inlet and has an enlarged, upper refuse receiving opening and a lower refuse discharging opening, the latter overlying the inlet. A lift structure is mounted on the vehicle for gripping a refuse container to move the same to a discharge point above the chute and redeposit the container on the underlying terrain. Alternately, the lift structure can be employed to remove the chute from the vehicle so that the vehicle can be selectively conditioned for collection of refuse from large containers or from small containers dumped or deposited directly into the inlet.

United States Patent Stedman et a1.

AUTOMATED REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE Inventors: Robert N. Stedman.Chillicothe;

Raymond L. Maser, Tremont. both of ill.

Assignee: Caterpillar Tractor Co., Peoria, 111.

Filed: Nov. 29, 1974 Appl. No.: 528,361

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 11/1922 Hancock 193/17 10/1973Updike. .lr. 214/302 2/1974 Straigier 214/302 6/1974 Moser et a1 214/82[451 Sept. 16, 1975 Primary Examiner-Frank E. Werner AssistantExaminer-Lawrence J. Oresky Attorney, Agent. or Firm-Ralph E. Walters 11 ABSTRACT A multi-purpose refuse collection vehicle. The vehicleincludes a body provided with an internal refuse compactor and a refuseinlet for receiving refuse to be collected and compacted. A deliverydevice is associated with the inlet for delivering refuse received inthe inlet to the interior of the body for compaction. A removable chuteis superimposed over the inlet and has an enlarged, upper refusereceiving opening and a lower refuse discharging opening. the latteroverlying the inlet. A lift structure is mounted on the vehicle forgripping a refuse container to move the same to a discharge point abovethe chute and redeposit the container on the underlying terrain.Alternately, the lift structure can be employed to remove the chute fromthe vehicle so that the vehicle can be selectively conditioned forcollection of refuse from large containers or from small containersdumped or deposited directly into the inlet.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures to -72 18/ 25 7o 68 66 24 2'8 r l2 IO 12% 74i.--

62 so so do AUTOMATED REFUSE COLLECTION VEHICLE BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION This invention relates to a refuse collection vehicle and,more particularly, to a refuse collection vehicle that may beselectively conditioned for collecting refuse from large containers suchas those typically attendant commercial or industrial operations or forcollecting refuse in residential areas where the refuse is separatelywrapped or contained in relatively small containers.

Relevant prior art includes U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,802,585 to Churchman;3,809,267 to Knight; and 3,815,765 to Moser et al.

Mechanized refuse handling and disposal is on a substantial upsurge byreason of the high cost of labor. To eliminate the labor cost, there hasbeen a tendency in the industry to go towards increased mechanization.The above identified prior art patents are typical of vehicles developedin the trend toward increased mechanization.

Typically, the vehicles require a crew of at least two, including adriver and a helper. To increase the labor savings, it is highlydesirable that the need for a helper in addition to the driver beminimized or eliminated entirely.

Additionally, refuse collection vehicles generally fall into twodistinct categories. One category of vehicle is that designed for thecollection of refuse in, for example, low density residential districts,such as single family dwelling districts. In such areas, the refuse willnormally be in relatively small containers such as conventional garbagecans, or possibly self-contained as in disposable plastic bags or thelike.

The other type of vehicle is that intended for the collection of refusefrom districts of higher intensity uses such as commercial, industrialor multiple family residential districts wherein the refuse isfrequently dumped into large containers which, in turn, are carted away.

Consequently, in a given area where both light and heavy uses arepresent, it is necessary that two distinct types of I'CfiISC collectingvehicles be employed. Of course, in such a case, initial expenditure forthe equipment is substantially greater than if one type of vehicle couldbe employed for collection of refuse for both types of uses.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the principal object of the invention toprovide a new and improved refuse collection vehicle. More specifically,it is an object of the invention to provide such a vehicle thatminimizes the need for attendant manual labor and which is readilyconditioned for use in collecting refuse from large containers typicallyassociated with commercial or industrial uses as well as relativelysmall containers typically associated with residential use.

An exemplary embodiment of the invention achieves the foregoing objectin a construction including a wheeled vehicle having a body whichincludes interior refuse compacting means. The vehicle mounts a refuseinlet for receiving to be collected and compacted. A driving device isassociated with the inlet for delivering refuse received therein to theinterior of the body for compaction while a removable chute is placedover the inlet and includes an enlarged upper refuse receiving opening.The vehicle is provided with a moving means which may be operated togrip a large refuse container and move the same to a discharge pointabove the chute upper opening to deposit refuse in the container intothe chute and thereafter return the container to its resting point.Alternately, the moving means may be employed to remove the chute fromthe vehicle so that the vehicle may be used in the collection of refusein small containers simply by having the containers dumped directly intothe inlet.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, a door is movablymounted on the body in proximity to the chute upper opening when thechute is in place on the vehicle. Means are provided for moving the doorbetween positions opening and closing the refuse receiving opening inthe chute.

The invention also contemplates provision of an operator cab on thevehicle with the inlet located between the cab and the body. The movingmeans comprises a boom structure mounted on the vehicle and extendingforwardly of the cab.

A preferred form of boom structure includes a pair of lift arms pivotedto the vehicle about a generally horizontal axis and a lift fork pivotedto the lift arms about a second generally horizontal axis spaced fromthe first. A pair of jacks are employed for selectively pivoting thelift arms about the first axis and the lift fork about the second axis.

In one form of the invention, the lift fork includes horizontallyorientable tines that are adapted to embrace the sides of a large refusereceiving container. The tines are provided with hook formations forreceipt in respective collars on the sides of the container.

One embodiment of the invention also contemplates that the jacks beconnected to the lift arm or to the lift fork, as the case may be, withtoggle linkages.

Other objects and advantages will become apparent from the followingspecification taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevation of a refusecollecting vehicle made according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevation of the vehicle illustrating theposition of various components when a large refuse receiving containeris being dumped;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary side elevation illustrating how a chute employedon the vehicle may be removed;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary side elevation of a modified embodiment of thevehicle; and

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary side'elevation of the modified embodimentillustrating a large refuse container being dumped into a chute on thevehicle.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An exemplary embodiment of arefuse collection vehicle made according to the invention is illustratedin FIG. 1 and is seen to include a vehicle frame, generally designated10, journalling wheels 12 by which means the vehicle may travel over theunderlying terrain 14. The vehicle frame mounts a body, generallydesignated 16, having interior compacting means (not shown). Preferably,the interior compacting means take on the fomi disclosed in thepreviously identified Moser et al patent, the details of which areincorporated by reference.

The body 16 has a rear door 18 which may be operated by a hydrauliccylinder 20 to allow the body to be emptied as desired. Again, thestructure is like that disclosed by Moser et al.

Forwardly of the body 16 is an upwardly open inlet, generally designated22, having a floor 24. The floor 24 extends rearwardly to a ramp 26below the body 16 and contained within the frame is a hydraulic ram 28which may be operative to reciprocate a plunger 29 across the inlet 22.Upon such reciprocation, refuse within the inlet 22 will be moved intothe body 16 for compaction therein. For more specific details of thearrangement thus far described, the reader is again directed to thepreviously identified Moser et al. patent.

The vehicle includes an operator cab, generally designated 30, whichwill be disposed to one side of the center line of the vehicle. The cab30 will, of course, house suitable controls for the vehicle propulsionsystem as well as for the various jacks and rams heretofore orhereinafter described. As can be seen, the cab 30 is located such thatthe inlet 22 is between the body 16 and the cab 30. By reason of thisconstruction, a nesting area above the inlet 22 is provided such that aremovable chute, generally designated 32, can be located in superposedrelation with respect to the inlet 22. The chute 32 includes anenlarged, upper refuse receiving opening 34 (FIG. 2) and a lower refusedischarging opening (not numbered) immediately above the opening of theinlet 22 so that refuse delivered into the chute 32 through the opening34 will pass to the inlet 22 under the influence of gravity.Additionally, road shock and vibration, when the vehicle is moving, willcause the refuse in the chute 32 to settle within the inlet 22.

A door 36 is pivoted as at 38 to the body 16 and is configured tocompletely close the refuse receiving opening 34 of the chute 32. Tomove the door 36 to an open position, such as that shown in FIG. 2, ahydraulic cylinder 40 is pivotally mounted as at 42 to the body 16 andhas its piston rod connected by a pivot pin 44 to the junction of links46 and 48. The links 46 and 48 are pivotally connected as at 50 and 52to the door 36 and the body 16 respectively. Consequently, uponretraction of the rod of the cylinder 40, the door 36 may be moved fromthe closed position shown in FIG. 1 to the open position shown in FIG. 2for receipt of refuse.

Returning to FIG. 1, the vehicle mounts a moving means, generallydesignated 54, for moving a large refuse container 56 from an at restposition on the underlying terrain I4 to a discharge position above theopening 34 as illustrated in FIG. 2. The moving means 54 includes a pairof L-shaped lift arms 57 (only one of which is shown), each having oneend pivotally connected by a pin 58 to a bearing block 60 secured to thevehicle frame 10. The opposite end of each of the arms 57 mounts, bymeans of a pivot pin 62, an L-shaped lift fork structure 64. Forstrengthening purposes, a cross member 66 may extend between the liftarms 57.

A hydraulic cylinder 68 has one end pivotally connected as at 70 to thevehicle frame, while its rod 71 is connected by a pivot pin 72 to thelift arms 57. A second cylinder 74 is pivotally connected by a pin 76 tothe lift arms 57 or the cross member 66, if desired, while its rod isconnected by a pivot pin 78 to the fork lift structure 64.

As a result of the foregoing structure, it will be appreciated that thedisposition of the lift arms 57 with respect to the vehicle may bealtered by appropriate energization of the cylinder 68, while thedisposition of the fork lift 64 with respect to the lift arms 56 may besimilarly varied through energization of the cylinder 74.

Typically, a large refuse container such as the container 56 willinclude transverse strengthening members 80 spaced below the bottom wallthereof. Thus, the driver of the vehicle may move the same forwardly andthrough appropriate energization of the cylinders 68 and 74 cause thehorizontally extending arms 82 of the fork lifi 64 to enter the spacebetween the cross members 80 and the bottom of the container 56. Furtherenergization of the cylinder 68 to raise the lift arms 57 will result inthe container 56 being moved to the position illustrated in FIG. 2whereupon refuse therein will be deposited in the chute 34 provided, ofcourse, that the door 36 has been previously opened. The procedure maythen be reversed to redeposit the container 56 on the underlyingterrain.

FIG. 3 illustrates the means by which the moving means 54 may beoperated to remove the chute 32 so that refuse in small containers maybe deposited directly into the inlet 22 as when collection is being madethrough a single family residential area. Specifically, with the rod ofthe cylinder 74 fully withdrawn, the fork lift 64 will be in the solidline position illustrated in FIG. 3. The ends of the same are providedwith heavy duty eyes 88 for receipt of chains 90. The chains 90, inturn, may be connected to outwardly projecting lugs 92 on the side ofthe chute 32. With the arms 57 fully elevated and the fork lift 64 inthe solid line position, the rod of the cylinder 74 may then be extendedto move the fork lift to the dotted line position. This will result inthe chute 32 being moved to the dotted line position illustrated in FIG.3. Thereafter, the lift arms 57 may be lowered until the chute 32engages the underlying terrain as shown in dotted lines. At this pointin time, the chains may be removed and the vehicle backed away from thechute, fully conditioned for residential refuse pickup. The chute 32 maybe replaced by following substantially the reverse of the aboveprocedure.

A somewhat modified embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIGS.4 and 5. The same is in all essential respects identical to thatpreviously described with the exception of the structure of the movingmeans 54. In the case of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5,two lift arms (only one of which is shown) are employed. Rather thanbeing L-shaped, the two ends thereof diverge from each other at an angleother than 90. One end is pivotally connected as at 102 to a bearingblock 104 secured to the frame, while the other end, by means of pivots106, mount two, horizontally orientable, tines 108 (only one of which isshown). A hydraulic cylinder 110 has its rod connected to a pivot 112joining links 114 and 116. The link 116 is piv otally connected as at118 to the vehicle frame while the link 114 is pivotally connected as at120 to the lift arms 100. As a result, a toggle type linkage is formedfor elevating the lift arms 100.

A somewhat similar toggle type linkage is employed for changing theattitude of the tines 108 with respect to the lift arms 100.Specifically, an arcuate link 122 is pivotally connected by a pin 124 tothe lift arms 100 and by a pin 126 to the rod 128 of a hydrauliccylinder 130. The latter is, in turn, connected by a pivot pin 132 tothe lift arms 100.

A link 134 receives the pivot pin 126 and is also pivotally connected asat 136 to the tines 108. Thus, through appropriate energization of thecylinder 130, the toggle linkage thus defined is operative to change theattitude of the tines 108.

The tines 108 are especially adapted to be received in circular collars140 which may be secured to opposite sides of a refuse container 142.Preferably, the outermost end of each tine 108 is provided with a hooklike formation 146 so that, upon initial elevation, firm and positiveretention of the refuse container 142 on the fork lift structure definedby the tines 108 is provided.

For removal of the chute 32 with the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 4and 5, a roller 150 may be journalled on pivot pin 112. Chains may besecured from any suitable point on the tines 108 to the lugs 92. Whenthe lift arms 100 are fully elevated, as shown in FIG. 5, the roller 150will abut the forwardmost side of the chute 32 so that when the latteris elevated through notation of the tines 108 in a clockwise fashionabout the pivot pin 106, the chute 32 will be guided upwardly in such afashion as to not come into damaging contact with the cab 30. Once thechute 32 has been suitably elevated by operation of the tines 108, thelift arms 100 may be lowered to bring the chute 32 into engagement withthe underlying terrain. Of course, replacement of the chute 32 may behad by reversing the above procedure.

From the foregoing, it will be appreciated that a refuse collectionvehicle made according to the invention accomplishes the previouslystated objects of minimizing the need for attendant labor whileproviding an apparatus that is suitable for collection of refuse bothfrom large containers and from small containers. When the vehicle isbeing employed in connection with the pickup of refuse from largecontainers, such as the containers 56 or 142, a single operator may beemployed to both drive the vehicle and operate the collection mechanism.Thus, the need for a helper is eliminated. It will also be appreciatedthat by simple removal of the chute 32 through the use of the liftstructure, the vehicle can be conditioned for pickup of smallselfcontained refuse articles or refuse contained in relatively smallcontainers since the same may be simply deposited within the inlet 22 inthe same fashion contemplated in the previously identified Moser et al.patent.

We claim:

]. A refuse collection vehicle comprising:

a wheeled vehicle;

a body on said vehicle, said body including interior refuse compactingmeans;

a refuse inlet on said vehicle for receiving refuse to the collected andcompacted;

means associated with said inlet for delivering refuse received thereinto the interior of said body for compaction therein;

a removable chute on said vehicle and superposed over said inlet, saidchute having an enlarged, upper refuse receiving opening and a lowerrefuse discharging, said refuse discharging opening overlying said inletwhereby refuse deposited in said chute will be directed to said inlet;and

moving means mounted on said vehicle for (a) gripping a refuse containerresting on underlying terrain adjacent said vehicle, (b) moving therefuse container to a discharge point above said chute upper refusereceiving opening so that refuse in the container will be deposited insaid chute, (c) returning the container to the underlying terrain, andalternatively (d) removing said chute from and replacing said chute onsaid vehicle whereby said vehicle may be selectively conditioned forcollection of refuse in large containers through said chute and fromsmall containers directly emptied into said inlet when said chute isremoved.

2. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 1 further including a doormovably mounted on said body in proximity to said upper refuse receivingopening when said chute is on said vehicle; and means for moving saiddoor between positions opening and closing said upper refuse receivingopening.

3. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 1 wherein said vehicleincludes an operator cab and said inlet is located between said cab andsaid body; and said moving means comprises a boom structure mounted onsaid vehicle and extending forwardly of said cab.

4. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 3 wherein said boom structurecomprises a pair of lift arms pivoted to said vehicle about a firstgenerally horizontal axis, a lift fork pivoted to said lift arms about asecond generally horizontal axis spaced from said first axis; a firstjack for selectively pivoting said lift arms about said first axis, anda second jack for selectively pivoting said lift fork about said secondaxis.

5. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 4 wherein said lift fork hashorizontally orientable tines adapted to be received in a space belowthe bottom of a refuse container.

6. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 4 wherein said lift fork hashorizontally orientable tines adapted to flank the sides of a refusecontainer, the ends of said tines being provided with hook formationsfor receipt of respective collars on the sides of a refuse container.

7. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 4 wherein said first jack isconnected to said lift arms through a toggle linkage.

8. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 4 wherein said second jack isconnected to said lift fork through a toggle linkage.

1. A refuse collection vehicle comprising: a wheeled vehicle; a body onsaid vehicle, said body including interior refuse compacting means; arefuse inlet on said vehicle for receiving refuse to the collected andcompacted; means associated with said inlet for delivering refusereceived therein to the interior of said body for compaction therein; aremovable chute on said vehicle and superposed over said inlet, saidchute having an enlarged, upper refuse receiving opening and a lowerrefuse discharging, said refuse discharging opening overlying said inletwhereby refuse deposited in said chute will be directed to said inlet;and moving means mounted on said vehicle for (a) gripping a refusecontainer resting on underlying terrain adjacent said vehicle, (b)moving the refuse container to a discharge point above said chute upperrefuse receiving opening so that refuse in the container will bedeposited in said chute, (c) returning the container to the underlyingterrain, and alternatively (d) removing said chute from and replacingsaid chute on said vehicle whereby said vehicle may be selectivelyconditioned for collection of refuse in large containers through saidchute and from small containers directly emptied into said inlet whensaid chute is removed.
 2. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 1further including a door movably mounted on said body in proximity tosaid upper refuse receiving opening when said chute is on said vehicle;and means for moving said door between positions opening and closingsaid upper refuse receiving opening.
 3. The refuse collection vehicle ofclaim 1 wherein said vehicle includes an operator cab and said inlet islocated between said cab and said body; and said moving means comprisesa boom structure mounted on said vehicle and extending forwardly of saidcab.
 4. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 3 wherein said boomstructure comprises a pair of lift arms pivoted to said vehicle about afirst generally horizontal axis, a lift fork pivoted to said lift armsabout a second generally horizontal axis spaced from said first axis; afirst jack for selectively pivoting said lift arms about said firstaxis, and a second jack for selectively pivoting said lift fork aboutsaid second axis.
 5. The refuse collection vehicle of claim 4 whereinsaid lift fork has horizontally orientable tines adapted to be receivedin a space below the bottom of a refuse container.
 6. The refusecollection vehicle of claim 4 wherein saId lift fork has horizontallyorientable tines adapted to flank the sides of a refuse container, theends of said tines being provided with hook formations for receipt ofrespective collars on the sides of a refuse container.
 7. The refusecollection vehicle of claim 4 wherein said first jack is connected tosaid lift arms through a toggle linkage.
 8. The refuse collectionvehicle of claim 4 wherein said second jack is connected to said liftfork through a toggle linkage.